Kept
Today, Mark bought me a pretty dress with a pair of matching shoes. I guess I’ll wear it tonight at the dinner party. This was the first time he insisted I use a caterer and party planner. He said I shouldn’t stress myself out over things like this. Parties are supposed to be fun. Of course, he’s right. I’m sure I’ll look lovely tonight and have a great time.
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Today, Mark hired Rebecca to come by three days a week to do cleaning and laundry. He’s never complained about the way I keep house, but I guess he thought I could use the help. The house is pretty big for one person to manage on their own. Plus, he said once the children come, I’ll have my hands full with them. Of course, he’s right. Rebecca is very sweet and works wonders on sweat stains.
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Today, Mark came home with a new electric car with a custom ladybug paint job. He knows I adore ladybugs, but I don’t know why he felt the need for the surprise. I guess with me only driving into town a few days a week now, there’s no need for me to hold on to my old SUV. Plus, he said he found a guy to take it off our hands at a good rate. Of course, he’s right. The smaller car is more practical for traveling such short distances.
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Today, Mark bought me a pearl necklace and I cried alone in my room for an hour. He’s been so understanding, more understanding than I can comprehend. I know having kids was a big deal for him, and yet, he seems to be coping with my infertility a lot better than I am. I’m so lucky he loves me so much. Of course, he’s right. We don’t have to have children to be happy together. We can find other ways to leave a legacy while keeping each other all to ourselves.
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Today, Mark told me our plans to visit his folks at the lake were canceled but that we’d go next weekend, just the two of us. I guess it’ll be nice for just the two of us to get away from our regular routine, but I was really looking forward to seeing family. I feel like it’s been ages. Of course, he’s right. It’s just not good timing to be with family while we’re still focusing on healing us.
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Today, Mark hired a private chef as a surprise to pamper me with some of my favorite Mediterranean dishes, though it was a bit inconvenient. I did have plans to meet up with a girlfriend I haven’t seen in months, but I didn’t want to seem ungrateful. I know he just wants me to feel loved. Of course, he’s right. A good friend will understand and let me make it up to her later.
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Today, Mark explained to me about the strange medications I found hidden in his golf bag. Rebecca had asked to see if there were any other items she could throw into the wash to make a full load and there they were. He said the doctor had prescribed them in case I needed help relaxing during the time after learning we couldn’t conceive, but I never took any of them. He said he kept them from me because I was strong enough to cope without them. He’s right, of course. I didn’t really need those drugs to help me get through that time.
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Today, my cell phone went missing. Rebecca and I searched the entire house. We checked my car and the guest house, but it seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth. When Mark gets home, we’ll have to make sure the account is secure and order me a new phone. Never thought I’d wish for a landline.
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Today, I asked Mark where Rebecca was. She hadn’t come on Monday and had yet to arrive today. I didn’t think this was the week she was taking off, but perhaps my days were blending together. I have trouble keeping up with the days ever since I lost my phone. I hope she’s okay.
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Today, Mark came home early and brought me four new dresses. He said he wanted me to put on a show for him. I didn’t really want to do it, but he seemed eager to see me model the clothes he’d picked out for me. I guess I should be grateful he hasn’t left me for a younger, fertile woman.
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Today, Rebecca scaled the perimeter wall and gave me a burner phone. She told me she’d been fired after discovering the truth of the pills Mark has been slipping into my food. Rebecca told me to pack a bag and toss it over the wall. She said she and some friends would break me out tomorrow when Mark left for work. I don’t know what’s happening, but I think Rebecca’s right. I think Mark is doing something to me and I need to break free.
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Today, I woke up in a hospital bed. My parents, my in-laws, and all my friends were there. Rebecca was there too. They were all sitting and standing around with paper cups of coffee and tea talking to police officers scribbling words on small white pads. Mark wasn’t there, and I felt relieved.
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Today, I had lunch with my mom, Rebecca, and my childhood best friend. We’re planning a hiking trip in Nevada and will squeeze in a few days at Las Vegas before heading back. Sometimes, I feel like a character in a book, only my story isn’t fiction. Mark destroyed my mind and made himself the center of my whole world. I do believe he loved me once, but his love turned to obsession and I was too traumatized and intoxicated to help myself. It’s been a year now and my mind is finally clear. I’m at peace and it’s time for me to spread my wings and fly.
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FCA-1013-words- Kept 2019 Copyright © Toinette J. Thomas
Please visit other entries in this hop and enjoy some funny, scary, touching, and thought-provoking stories. You’ll be so glad you did.
Update 6/25/19- I took ill suddenly and was offline for more than a week. I am now playing catch up and reading through the entries in this hop.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords
Stacy: I am not one to plan and organize my writing. My life is pretty chaotic with my day job and my family, so the time I get to write I spend writing the story. I’ve learned to write with quite a bit of noise–television, music, etc.–going on around me. My family is kind enough to put up with the occasional scribbling even at the dinner table when something strikes me. Tattoos was my 
